People in your community on the hunt for a new job are about to get even more support through your library!As reported in the June 4th issue of the MHLS Bulletin, member libraries are struggling to keep up with the demand for help from patrons seeking assistance with job searches and career changes. To assist libraries in keeping up with demand, all MHLS member libraries will be getting two new workforce development databases to join the two already available.

Libraries currently are able to offer access to JobNow and Gale Testing & Education Reference Center through the MHLS HOMEACCESS program. The two new databases are Cypress Resume and Workforce Skills for the 21st Century.

The two new resources will be available to patrons through your county-based HOMEACCESS page at http://midhudson.org/databases/ beginning September 1st, but they are available now for staff to become familiar with them. Passwords for staff access have been sent via the MHLS listserv as well as product descriptions and video tutorials. Take this opportunity to be familiar with the products so when they go live your patrons can make the most of these valuable resources.

MHLS Announcements

NYS Annual Report Data:

The 2012 member library Annual Report data has been compiled by Gerry Formby, a member of the MHLS Tech Support team, and is now available through the MHLS web site at: http://midhudson.org/annual_reports/2012/

Bibliostat Connect provides New York data back to 1991 from the Annual Report for Public and Association Libraries and the latest data from the Federal State Cooperative System (FSCS) and the Public Library Data Service (PLDS) for all public libraries in the nation. For more information, and the log-in and password, visit http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/libs/index.html

Resource Sharing & Millennium

Sierra Will Be Unavailable on Thursday, August 8th Innovative Interfaces Inc. has scheduled mandatory server maintenance for Thursday, August 8th. The server, online catalog, database access, and associated services are expected to be unavailable the entire day. Access to OverDrive (downloadable ebooks and audiobooks) will be available to current users of the service. During this maintenance window they will be moving us to an improved hosting arrangement designed to correct/prevent issues that caused the downtime experienced by Verizon and Fairpoint libraries in June. III also feels that this change should alleviate some speed issues experienced.

Instructions and further details have been provided through the MHLS listservs. Questions can be directed to MHLS Automation Coordinator, Eric McCarthy at emccarthy@midhudson.org.

Reference & Collection Development

HeritageQuest & Historical New York Times Access Ends July 31: Due to a significant decline in use of the HeritageQuest genealogy research database, the Central Library Development Aid (CLDA) cost-share and the system-wide subscription to this resource ends on July 31. Access to the Historical New York Times was dependent on this, so that access will end as well. The Central Library (Adriance Memorial Library of the Poughkeepsie Public Library District) will continue their subscription to the Historical New York Times from their own funds and member libraries can request articles from them. To connect with Central Library services visit http://midhudson.org/collection/main.htm

If your library would like to consider a subscription for your own library from your own funds, discount pricing has been negotiated on your behalf by MHLS Assistant Director Merribeth Advocate. Member library directors have been provided with the pricing info for HeritageQuest, the Historic New York Times, and Ancestry.com. When the system wide subscription ends at the end of July all libraries will be removed from the WAM authentication table. MHLS is still willing to provide authentication through the WAM for libraries that will be continuing with either HeritageQuest or the Historical New York times but you will need to proactively let Eric McCarthy, MHLS Automation Coordinator [emccarthy@midhudson.org] know that he needs to add your library back into the WAM.

Free Legal Help For Library Patrons: LawHelpNY.org is a website designed to help low-income New Yorkers with their civil legal problems. It is a collaborative effort across New York State legal aid offices to give low income and vulnerable New Yorkers access to legal information, information about how to contact legal aid offices and other social agencies that can assist them, as well as help them understand their legal rights and navigate the court system. This website covers legal problems including (but not limited to): housing, public benefits, (SSI, SSD, or PA), family law, discrimination and more. LawHelpNY covers 16 legal areas and connects to over 500 legal aid programs offering free legal services in New York State. Interested libraries can be given training sessions on how to use the website. For more information or to schedule training contact Abigael Blumenthal at ablumenthal@lawny.orgor at 315.781.1465 x1011.

Affordable Care Act Assistance Referrals: Each county in New York State has been assigned In-Person Assistors (IPAs)/Navigators who will provide in-person enrollment assistance to individuals, families, small businesses and their employees who apply for health insurance through the New York Health Benefit Exchange. To connect with your local IPAs/Navigators: http://www.healthbenefitexchange.ny.gov/IPANavigatorMap

IPAs/Navigators will:

Provide in-person assistance to those applying for health insurance coverage at the time of initial application and at annual renewal;

Refer consumers to other organizations for help with grievances, complaints or questions regarding health coverage or a determination related to coverage; and

Supply information in a fair and impartial manner which is culturally and linguistically appropriate, and disability accessible, including for individuals with limited English proficiency.

Youth Services

IMLS Report: Libraries Are Part of the Solution: A new report from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) reports that libraries and museums are effective, but often overlooked resources in our nation's effort to turn around a crisis in early learning by exposing children to reading and powerful learning experiences in the critical early years and keeping them learning through the summer months.

"As the nation commits to early learning as a priority essential to our economic and civic future," the report provides case studies and research documenting that libraries and museums are part of the solution. The report documents dozens of examples and 10 key ways libraries and museums are currently supporting communities' efforts to develop a strong start for young children's learning. The full report is available at http://1.usa.gov/105kdFr

MHLS recommends that the minimum starting salary of a full or part-time librarian with an MLS degree be at least equal to that of a teacher with a master's degree in the same community.

Member Libraries are welcome to submit items of interest and job openings to the MHLS Bulletin: bulletin@midhudson.org.